Pet carrier access portal

ABSTRACT

An access portal for a pet carrier allows a pet owner to insert a hand into the pet carrier but prevents the animal contained therein from escaping through the access portal. The access portal may be blocked by an elastic barrier with an aperture that stretches to allow the pet owner to gain access to the interior of the pet carrier. Doors covering the access portal on the inside and/or the outside of the carrier may also be used instead of, or in conjunction with the elastic barrier.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to pet carriers. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to pet carriers with atleast one access portal that allows a pet owner to extend a hand intothe pet carrier, but prevents the pet from exiting the pet carrier.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Pet carriers of varying sizes, shapes, and designs are currentlyavailable. Some existing carrier designs include, for example, plastic,hard-shell boxes and large tote bags. Examples of pet carriers aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,523,499, 5,931,120, and 3,547,079.

Although pet carriers may be used as kennels for animals, they aretypically used to transport animals from point to point in privatevehicles or public transportation vehicles, such as planes, buses, andtrains.

Animals are sometimes kept in pet carriers for extended periods of time.When transporting an animal in a private vehicle, the pet owner maychoose to keep the animal in the pet carrier if the animal has atendency to wander about the vehicle. An unrestrained animal may lodgeitself in hard to reach or unsafe places, or distract the operator ofthe vehicle. When traveling in a public transportation vehicle, for thesafety of the other passengers and for the safety of the animal, the petowner may be required to keep the animal in the pet carrier for theduration of the trip. In addition, at certain destinations, such as aveterinarian's office, the pet owner may be required to keep the animalin the pet carrier even after arriving.

Being confined in a pet carrier, even for a short duration, can be adisquieting experience for many animals. Particularly on long trips,animals can become anxious and unsettled within the pet carrier. Often,however, the reassuring touch of the pet owner's hand can calm theanimal. As a result, pet owners often desire to insert a hand into thepet carrier to provide assurance to the animal. In addition to calmingthe animal, a pet owner may also desire to insert a hand into the petcarrier to feed the animal or arrange other items in the pet carrier,such as an animal toy or blanket.

Prior art pet carriers generally include access doors that provideaccess to the interior space of the carriers to allow the pet owner toplace the animal into, and remove the animal from, the pet carrier.Typical access doors include doors composed of rigid wire crossed bars,or flap-covered openings secured by a zipper. Such access doors allowthe pet owner to insert their hand into the pet carrier. When suchaccess doors are opened to allow access to the interior of the carrier,however, they may also permit the animal to escape from the pet carrier.Depending on the animal's surroundings, an escaped pet could pose ahazard to itself, other animals, or persons in the immediate vicinity.For example, in a car, an unrestrained animal could distract the driverand cause a collision. In a veterinarian's office, an unrestrainedanimal could come into contact with, and potentially injure otheranimals, or be injured by other animals. In an open location, the petcould escape from the area and desert the pet owner.

In addition to an access door, many pet carriers also have small holesin the sides of the carrier. The small holes are generally designed toprovide ventilation for the animal and only provide limited access tothe interior of the pet carrier. Such holes are generally only largeenough to allow a pet owner to insert one or two fingers into thecarrier. Accordingly, access to the interior of the pet carrier throughthe ventilation holes is usually quite limited. Oftentimes, if theanimal is positioned away from one side of the carrier, the pet ownerwill not be able to reach the animal through the ventilation holes onthat side.

Providing an open hole in the exterior of a pet carrier which is largeenough to allow a pet owner to insert a hand into the pet carrier, butalso small enough to prevent an animal from escaping, is not a practicaloption. Most pet carriers are intended to be used for animals in a widerange of shapes and sizes. Moreover, the size of a given animal willchange as it ages from new-born to adult. Therefore, a portal that mightbe small enough to prevent one animal from escaping might be largeenough to allow another animal, or the same animal earlier in its lifecycle, to escape from the carrier. In addition, because animals, andparticularly cats, can squeeze through small holes, an open hole in apet carrier intended for pets of various sizes would have to be limitedto a very small size, such as the ventilation holes described above. Ahole of that size would not be large enough to permit a pet owner toinsert a hand into the carrier. A further complicating factor that wouldneed to be taken into account is that different pet owners havedifferent sized hands and therefore a hole that is large enough for somepet owners' hands may be too small for other pet owners.

Some pet carriers that are constructed from flexible materials, such ascanvas, have one or more openings that may be closed with a zipper or adraw-string. Closing a portal with a zipper or a draw-string, however,will not prevent the animal from escaping when the portal is opened.Although both a zipper and a draw-string can be used to limit the portalto a size that is only slightly larger than the pet owner's hand, thezipper or draw-string could inadvertently be opened too far, allowingthe animal to escape from the pet carrier. In addition, a zipper isparticularly dangerous for pets with fur because the animal's fur maycatch in the zipper when the zipper is closed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a petcarrier is provided with an access portal that allows a pet owner toinsert a hand into the pet carrier without allowing the pet to escapefrom the pet carrier.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pet carrierincludes an access portal that allows a pet owner to insert a hand intothe pet carrier and automatically closes when the pet owner removeshis/her hand from the interior of the pet carrier.

In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a petcarrier includes an access portal that allows a pet owner to insert ahand into the pet carrier, regardless of the size of the pet owner'shand, and prevents the pet from escaping from the carrier, regardless ofthe size or type of pet.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a pet carrierincludes an access portal that does not catch an animal's fur when theportal is closed.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, a pet carrier isprovided with an access portal in one of the walls of the carrier. Thehole can be covered with an elastic material that is attached to theedge of the hole or the wall of the carrier. An aperture can be providedin the elastic material and the elastic material stretches to allow apet owner to insert a hand into the pet carrier. When the pet ownerremoves his/her hand from the pet carrier, the elastic material returnsto its original state and thereby forms a barrier that prevents theanimal from exiting the pet carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a pet carrier with an access portal in aside wall of the pet carrier according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the access portal shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an access portal with a door that opensalong an axis parallel to a wall of the carrier according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an access portal with a door that swings tothe side of the access portal according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a tunnel protruding into the interior of thepet carrier and containing a sleeve therein according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an access portal with a flexible sleeveaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 a is a diagram of a gasket according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 7 b is a cut-away view of the gasket shown in FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 7 c is a perspective view of the gasket shown in FIG. 7 a.

FIG. 7 d is a diagram of the gasket shown in FIG. 7 a as it would appearif installed in a portal.

FIG. 7 e is a perspective view of the gasket shown in FIG. 7 a as itwould appear if it were installed in a portal.

FIG. 8 a is a diagram of a gasket according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 8 b is a cut-away view of the gasket shown in FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8 c is a perspective view of the gasket shown in FIG. 8 a.

FIG. 8 d is a diagram of the gasket shown in FIG. 8 a as it would appearif installed in a portal.

FIG. 8 e is a perspective view of the gasket shown in FIG. 8 a as itwould appear if it were installed in a portal.

FIG. 9 is a diagram of a pet carrier constructed from a flexiblematerial and having a rigid frame according to an exemplary embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an enlarged view of the frame shown in FIG.9.

FIG. 11A is a diagram showing an access portal with a flexible sleeveand two doors according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11B is a diagram showing an access portal with a flexible sleeveand two open doors according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of a device that can be used to install an accessportal according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram of the device shown in FIG. 9 after it is installedin a carrier wall, as seen from the outside the carrier.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an access portal with a door havingfingerlet cutouts according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an access portal with a door havingfingerlet cutouts according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows a pet carrier (10) made of, for example, plastic. Othersuitable, inflexible materials could be used for the pet carrier (10).The pet carrier (10) has, for example, a top wall (14), a front wall(18), a door (30) in the front wall (18), two side walls (16), a backwall (not shown), and a bottom (not shown). A handle (19) can beattached to the top wall (14). Ventilation holes (12) may be provided inthe side wall (16), in the top wall (14) and/or in the back wall.

The door (30) allows the pet owner to insert an animal into the petcarrier (10) and remove the animal from the pet carrier (10). The door(30) can swing out, away from the interior of the pet carrier (10) anddoes not have to enter the interior of the pet carrier (10). The door(30) typically includes crossed bars made from, for example, rigid wireor plastic.

An access portal (40) can be located in any of the walls of the petcarrier (10). In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the access portal(40) can be located in one of the side walls (16). As shown in FIG. 2,the access portal (40) has an interior edge (52). In addition, anelastic barrier (54) can cover all or substantially all of the accessportal (54). Preferably, the elastic barrier (54) is connected to theinterior edge (52) of the access portal (40) or to the interior surfaceof the side wall (16) of the pet carrier (10). The elastic barrier (54)can contact all or substantially all of the interior edge (52) of theaccess portal (40). The elastic barrier (54) may have an aperture (56)that is a slit, multiple intersecting slits, a hole, or other suitabledesign. The aperture (56) preferably does not extend to the interioredge (52) of the access portal (40).

When not stretched, the elastic barrier (54) may lie in a flat plane.Alternatively, the elastic barrier (54) may protrude into or out of thepet carrier (10). The elastic barrier (54) may be made of an elasticmaterial such as rubber, neoprene, polypropylene or any other materialthat provides sufficient elasticity. The elastic barrier (54) ispreferably thick enough to resist tears when it is stretched or when itis scratched by an animal's claws. The elastic barrier (54) is alsopreferably thick enough to restrict the animal's ability to pass throughthe access portal (40).

A pet owner can access the interior of the pet carrier (10) by pressingthe ends of the fingers of one hand against the elastic barrier (54), inthe vicinity of the aperture (56). The elastic barrier (54) stretchesand the aperture (56) widens to allow the pet owner's hand to enter thepet carrier (10) through the portal (40). When the pet owner's handextends into the pet carrier (10), the elastic barrier (54) forms a sealaround the pet owner's wrist or forearm, depending upon how far the petowner's hand is inserted into the pet carrier (I 0), and prevents theanimal from exiting through the access portal (40).

When the hand is removed from the pet carrier (10) by pulling it backthrough the access portal (40), the elastic barrier (54) may revert backto its original, pre-stretched position, blocking the access portal (40)as shown in FIG. 2. Unlike portals that are closed with zippers, theelastic material that closes the access portal (40) is unlikely to catchan animal 's fur, and poses a minimal threat to the safety of theanimal. In addition, because the elastic barrier (54) conforms to theshape of the hand as it is withdrawn, the elastic barrier (54) preventsthe animal from inserting a leg or its head through the access portal(40).

In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, a door (72) covers theaccess portal (40). The door (72) may be any shape but preferably it islarge enough to cover all or substantially all of the access portal(40). The door may be on the outside or on the inside of the pet carrier(10). The door can be attached to the pet carrier by a hinge (74) thatis preferably installed on the interior surface of one of the side walls(16) of the pet carrier (10). The hinge allows the door (72) to swingaway from the wall and open the portal (40). As shown in FIG. 3, thedoor (72) can swing into the pet carrier about an axis parallel to theside wall (16) of the pet carrier (10). The hinge (74) may include aspring that forces the door closed when it is not being held open by thepet owner. Keeping the door closed when the pet owner's hand or arm isnot inserted through the access portal (40) ensures that the animal willnot be able to escape through the access portal (40).

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the door (72) may have one ormore fingerlet cutouts (77) that allow the pet owner to pull the door(72) closed as the pet owner's hand is removed from the interior of thepet carrier. The fingerlet cutouts (77) may be indentations at the edgeof the door (72), or may be holes closer to the center of the door (72).Alternatively, the side of the door (72) facing the access portal (40)may have a tab or other means that allow the pet owner to pull the doorclosed when the hand is removed. Pulling the door (72) closed as thehand is removed ensures that the the pet owner's hand or arm is blockingthe access portal (40) during the action of removal, and therebyminimizes the possibility that the animal can escape through the accessportal (40). A locking mechanism such as a latch (not shown) may be usedto secure the door (72) to the wall of the pet carrier (10) when thedoor (72) is closed.

In an alternative exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the door (82)may be connected by a pin (84) or similar means of attachment to theside wall (16). The door (82) rotates about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the side wall (16). Preferably, the pin (84) includes aspring mechanism that forces the door (82) closed when it is not beingheld open by the pet owner. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, asshown in FIG. 4, a spring (86) may also be attached to the side of thedoor (82). The spring engages a stationary ledge (88) attached to theside wall (16) of the pet carrier (10) and forces the door (82) closedwhen it is not being held open by the pet owner. In another exemplaryembodiment, the spring (86) may be attached to the ledge (88) andpositioned so that it engages the door (82) when it is opened. A lockingmechanism such as a latch (not shown) may be used to secure the door(82) to the wall of the pet carrier (10) when the door (82) is closed.

The embodiment of the access portal (40) with elastic barrier (54) asshown in FIG. 2 may be combined with the doors (72, 82) disclosed inFIGS. 3, 4, 14 and 15. The doors disclosed in FIGS. 3-4 may bepositioned on the inside or outside of the pet carrier (10).

As an alternate exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the petcarrier (10) may have a short tunnel (90) that extends from the accessportal (40) in the side wall (16) of the pet carrier (10), into theinterior of the pet carrier (10). The tunnel (90) further restricts ananimal's ability to escape from the pet carrier (10) through the accessportal (40). The elastic barrier (54) described above (including theaperture (56)) may cover the access portal (40), may cover the opening(94) at the interior end (96) of the tunnel (90), or may be attached tothe inner surface of the tunnel (90) anywhere between the access portal(40) and the interior end (96).

Alternatively, an elastic sleeve (92) may be attached to the interioredge of the access portal (40). The elastic sleeve (92) can be initiallycontained within the tunnel (90). To access the interior of the petcarrier (10), the pet owner would insert a hand and forearm through theelastic sleeve (92) and then through the tunnel (90) to the opening (94)at the interior end (96). To remove the hand from the interior of thepet carrier (10), the pet owner would pull the hand back through thetunnel (90). The elastic sleeve (92) would, for example, be pulled outof the tunnel (90) when the pet owner removes the hand from the tunnel(90). Once the hand is removed from the elastic sleeve (92), however,the elastic sleeve (92) can be replaced in the tunnel (90).

The doors (72, 82) shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 may be placed at either end ofthe tunnel or at both ends of the tunnel (90). If the door (72) in FIG.3 is used to cover the opening (94) at the interior end (96) of thetunnel (90), the door (72) would swing into the pet carrier (10).Alternatievely, the doors (72) shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 may be placed atthe interior end (96) of the tunnel (90) and would swing into the petcarrier (90).

As an alternate exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a flexiblesleeve (101) may be attached to the interior edge (52) of the accessportal (40) or to a side wall (16) of the pet carrier (10). The flexiblesleeve (101) can be made from materials such as canvas, nylon, orcotton.

To access the interior of the pet carrier (10), the pet owner wouldinsert a hand and forearm through the access portal (40) and through theflexible sleeve (101). To remove the hand from the interior of the petcarrier (10), the pet owner would pull the hand back through the accessportal (40). The flexible sleeve (101) would be pulled out of the petcarrier (10) when the pet owner removes the hand. Once the hand isremoved from the flexible sleeve (101), however, the flexible sleeve(101) can be replaced in the pet carrier (10). Preferably the sleeve(101) would be thick enough, and constructed from a material that isstrong enough, to resist tearing.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, an outer door (312) and aninner door (310) may also be used to close the access portal (40). Thedoors (310, 312) may be concave with a hollow indentation on the side ofthe door facing the access portal (40). The doors (310, 312) couldenclose the sleeve (101) when they are closed. To fit the sleeve (101)between the doors (310, 312) and to allow the doors (310, 312) to fullyclose, the sleeve (101) may be collapsed or folded to conserve space.The doors (310, 312) may be connected to the wall (16) of the carrier byhinges (314, 316). The hinges may be attached to the lower edge of thedoors (310, 312) and also may be attached to the wall (16) of thecarrier below the access portal (40). To access the interior of the petcarrier, the pet owner would, for example, first open the outer door(312) and insert a hand at least part of the way into the sleeve (101).The pet owner would then open the inner door (310) and insert the handinto the interior of the carrier. As the pet owner inserts the hand intothe carrier, the sleeve (101) would surround the pet owner's hand and/orforearm. To remove the hand from the carrier, the pet owner would reachfor the inner door (310) with the hand that is inside the carrier. Theinner door (310) may have fingerlet cutouts, indentations, a latch or asimilar structure or structures that would allow the pet owner to moreeasily pull the inner door (310) towards the access portal (40).Alternatively, the inner door may (310) be attached to the sleeve (101)and the sleeve may draw the inner door (310) closed as the pet ownerremoves the hand from the pet carrier. Once the inner door (310) isclosed, the pet owner can remove the hand from the sleeve (101). Thesleeve (101) can then be collapsed or folded to fit in between the innerdoor (310) and the outer door (312) and the outer door (312) may beclosed.

In another exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 a-7 e, a gasket (110)is, for example, formed from an elastic material and has two outerportions (114) that are joined to a center portion (116). An aperture(112) runs through each portion—from the outer surface (115) of one ofthe outer portions (114), through the center portion (116), and to theouter surface (115) of the other outer portion (114). As shown in FIGS.7 d-7 e, the gasket (110) may be placed in an open access portal in apet carrier (10) and fixedly attached to a wall (105) of the petcarrier. Preferably, the gasket could be positioned so that one of theouter portions (114) is outside of the carrier (as shown in FIG. 7 e),the other outer portion (114) is inside the carrier, and the centerportion (116) lies in the same plane as the wall (105). The innersurfaces (117) of the outer portions (114) could be attached to the wall(105) by glue or other suitable means.

If a gasket as shown in FIGS. 7 a-7 e is installed in an access portal(40) of a pet carrier, (10), a pet owner could access the interior ofthe pet carrier (10) by pressing the ends of the fingers of one handagainst the outer portion (114) of the gasket (110), in the vicinity ofthe aperture (112). The elastic material of the gasket would stretch andthe aperture (112) would widen to allow the pet owner's hand to enterthe pet carrier (10) through the portal (40). When the pet owner's handextends into the pet carrier (10), the elastic material of the gasket(110) forms a seal around the pet owner's wrist or forearm, dependingupon how far the pet owner's hand is inserted into the pet carrier (10),and prevents the animal from exiting through the access portal (40).

When the hand is removed from the pet carrier (10) by pulling it backthrough the access portal (40), the gasket (110) reverts back to itsoriginal, pre-stretched position, blocking the access portal (40).Because the gasket (110) conforms to the shape of the hand as it iswithdrawn, an animal would be prevented from inserting a leg or its headthrough the access portal (40).

FIGS. 8 a-8 e show an alternative exemplary embodiment for a gasket(120). The gasket (120) may have two outer portions (124) that arejoined to a center portion (126). An aperture (112) could run throughthe center portion (126). The difference between the gasket (110)depicted in FIGS. 7 a-7 e and the gasket (120) depicted in FIGS. 8 a-8 eis that the outer portions (124) of the gasket (120) depicted in FIGS. 8a-8 e do not completely cover the flat surfaces (125) of the centerportion (126). The gasket (120) may be placed in an open access portalin a pet carrier (10) and fixedly attached to a wall (105) of the petcarrier. Preferably, the gasket would be positioned so that one of theouter portions (124) would be outside of the carrier (as shown in FIG. 8e), the other outer portion (124) would be inside the carrier, and thecenter portion (126) would lie in the same plane as the wall (I 05). Theinner surfaces (127) of the outer portions (124) could be attached tothe wall (105) by glue or other suitable means. If the gasket (120) isinstalled in an access portal, and attached to the side wall of thecarrier, it could function in a manner similar to the gasket (110)depicted in FIGS. 7 a-7 e.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10, if the pet carrier (201) is constructed from aflexible material such as canvas, a frame (210) constructed of a rigidmaterial could be installed in the wall of the pet carrier (201). Theframe (210) could be made from, for example, metal or plastic, and couldextend partly inside the pet carrier (201) and partly outside the petcarrier (201).

The frame (210) could serve the same function as the portion of the wall(16) of the pet carrier (10) immediately surrounding the access portal(40) as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1-2. A frame (210) installed in thepet carrier (201) could be considered part of the wall in which theframe (210) is installed. Therefore, any reference to the walls (16) ofthe pet carrier (10) or the surface of the walls (16) of the pet carrier(10) could also apply to the frame (210) and the surfaces of the frame(210).

The frame (210) could provide, for example, a rim (215) and an interioredge (252) to which an elastic barrier (254) containing an aperture(256) may be attached. As an alternative embodiment, a gasket such asone of the gaskets (110, 120) shown in FIGS. 7 a-7 e or FIGS. 8 a-8 emay be attached to the frame (210). In addition, doors such as the doors(72, 82) shown in FIGS. 3-4 may be attached to the frame (210). A doormay be attached to a part of the frame (210) on the outside of the petcarrier (201) and open outward. A door may be attached to a part of theframe (210) on the inside of the carrier and open into the pet carrier(201). Alternatively, a flexible sleeve (101) and/or doors (310,312) asdisclosed in FIGS. 6, 11A, and 11B may be attached to the frame (210).

Similarly, if the access portal (40) is inserted in the door (30) of apet carrier (10) and the door (30) consists of rigid crossed bars madefrom, for example, metal or plastic, a solid frame could be installed inthe door (30) to provide a rim and an interior edge to which the elasticbarrier (54), a gasket (110, 120) and/or door(s) (72, 82) may beattached.

In another exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 12, a device (130)could be used to create an access portal in the wall of a pet carrier(10). The device (130) may comprise two parts. The first part (140) hasa hollow first inner section (142) that can have a sharp exposed edge(143). The first inner section (142) also may have screw threads (144)that are preferably on the inner surface of the first inner section(142). The first inner section (142) is connected to a first frame (148)that extends at least partially beyond the outer circumference of thefirst inner section (142). The first frame (148) may be substantiallyhollow in the area bounded by the points where the first frame (148) andthe first inner section (142) are joined.

The device (130) may further have a second part (150). The second part(150) also may have a second inner section (152). The second innersection may have screw threads (154) that would be preferably on theouter surface of the second inner section (152). The outer diameter ofthe second inner section (152) would preferably be sized such that thescrew threads (154) of the second inner section (152) could engage thescrew threads (144) of the first inner section (142) if the two innersections were adjoining. The second inner section (152) may be connectedto a second frame (158) that extends at least partially beyond the outercircumference of the second inner section (152). The second frame (158)may be substantially hollow in the area bounded by the points where thesecond frame (158) and the second inner section (152) are joined.

As shown in FIG. 12, an elastic barrier (160) can cover all orsubstantially all of the hollow center of the second frame (158). Theelastic barrier (160) would be attached to the frame (158). The elasticbarrier (160) would have an aperture (166) that is a slit, multipleintersecting slits, a hole, or other suitable design. The aperture (166)preferably does not extend to the frame (158). In addition to, orinstead of, the elastic barrier (160) covering the hollow center of thesecond frame (158), an elastic barrier may also be attached to, andcover all or substantially all of the hollow center of, the first frame(148). An elastic barrier attached to the second frame (158) would alsohave an aperture as described above.

The sharp edge (143) of the first inner section may be used to cut ahole in the wall of a carrier (10). The first inner section (142) andthe second inner section (152) could be inserted in the hole and joinedby the screw threads (144, 154). As shown in FIG. 13, preferably onlythe second frame (158) would be outside the carrier wall (170) when thedevice (130) is installed. Because the frames (148, 158) extend beyondthe outer circumference of the inner sections (142, 152) they wouldprevent the device (130) from dislodging from the hole. A pet ownercould then insert a hand into the pet carrier (10) through the aperture(166) in the elastic barrier (160). The hand could pass through thecenter of the second frame (158), through the center of the second innersection (152) (which could be encircled by the first inner section(142)), and through the center of the first frame (148). Also, if thesecond inner section (152) is inserted into the first inner section(142), the sharp edge (143) of the first inner section (142) would notbe exposed to the hollow center of the second inner section (152),thereby protecting the pet owner's hand when it passes through.

The two parts of the device (130) may also be joined by means other thanthe screw threads (144, 154). The parts may be joined by glue, welding,latching, or other suitable means. In addition, the inner section of oneof the parts (142, 152) may be joined to the frame (148, 158) of theother part instead of joining the inner sections (142, 152). Further,the frames (148, 158) can be joined to the wall of the carrier inaddition to, or instead of, joining the two parts of the device (130).

Although certain preferred exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention have been shown and described in detail, it should beunderstood that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the scope of the appended claims.

1. A transport container, comprising: (a) a housing including a first opening and a second opening, the first opening for inserting an animal into, and for removing the animal from, said housing, the second opening having an interior edge and being spaced apart from the first opening; and (b) an elastic material of substantially the same size as the second opening, the elastic material being attached to the interior edge of the second opening and covering a substantial portion of the second opening, and the elastic material having an aperture therein.
 2. The transport container of claim 1, wherein said elastic material includes one of neoprene, rubber, and nylon.
 3. The transport container of claim 1, wherein the second opening is located in a side wall of said housing.
 4. The transport container of claim 1, further comprising a first door attached to an exterior surface of the housing and substantially covering the second opening.
 5. The transport container of claim 4, further comprising a second door attached to an interior surface of the housing and substantially covering the second opening.
 6. The transport container of claim 1, further comprising a door attached to an interior surface of the housing and substantially covering the second opening.
 7. An animal transport container comprising: (a) a housing having a first opening for inserting an animal into and removing the animal from said housing and a second opening spaced apart from said first opening; (b) a first door and a second door, each pivotally attached to said housing whereby said first door and said second door can be pivoted from a position substantially covering said second opening to a position substantially uncovering said second opening; (c) said first door covering the second opening from the outside of said carrier and said second door covering the second opening from the interior of said pet carrier.
 8. An animal transport container comprising: (a) a housing including a first opening and a second opening, the first opening for inserting an animal into, and for removing the animal from, said housing, the second opening having an interior edge and being spaced apart from the first opening; (b) a tunnel extending from the second opening, into said housing; and (c) an elastic sleeve attached to said interior edge of the second opening.
 9. The transport container of claim 8, further comprising a door attached to an interior end of the tunnel.
 10. An animal transport container comprising: (a) a housing including a first opening and a second opening, the first opening for inserting an animal into, and for removing the animal from, said housing, the second opening having an interior edge and being spaced apart from the first opening; and (b) a flexible sleeve attached to said interior edge of the second opening.
 11. The animal transport container of claim 10, further comprising a first door pivotally attached to an exterior surface of the housing and substantially covering the second opening.
 12. The animal transport container of claim 11, further comprising a second door pivotally attached to the interior surface of the housing and wherein said flexible sleeve is enclosed by the first door and the second door when the first door and second door are closed.
 13. An animal transport container comprising: (a) a housing including a first opening for inserting an animal into, and for removing said animal from, said housing; (b) a door attached to the housing and used to open and close said first opening, said door including a second opening having an interior edge; (c) elastic material having an aperture, said elastic material being attached to the interior edge of the second opening, being substantially the same size as the second opening, and covering a substantial portion of the second opening.
 14. A gasket comprising: (a) a first outer portion connected to a center portion; (b) a second outer portion connected to the center portion; (c) wherein the first and second outer portions are adapted for connection to a housing of a pet carrier, and the first outer portion, the second outer portion, and the center portion include an aperture therethrough.
 15. The gasket of claim 10 wherein said outer portions and said center portion are integrally formed.
 16. The gasket of claim 10 wherein said outer portions and said center portion are formed from an elastic material.
 17. A device for inserting an elastic barrier into a wall, said device comprising: (a) a first part comprising a first hollow inner section connected to a first frame, said first frame extending beyond the outer circumference of the first inner section; (b) a second part comprising a second hollow inner section connected to a second frame, said second frame extending beyond the outer circumference of the second inner section; (c) means for connecting the first part to the second part; and (d) an elastic barrier connected to the first hollow frame and containing an aperture therein.
 18. A transport container comprising: (a) a housing having a wall constructed from a flexible material, a first opening in said housing for inserting an animal into, and for removing the animal from, said housing, and a second opening in the wall, spaced apart from said first opening and having an inner edge; (b) a frame constructed of a rigid material and attached to the inner edge of the second opening; and (c) an elastic material of substantially the same size as the second opening, attached to said frame, and covering a substantial portion of said second opening, and having an aperture therein.
 19. An animal transport container comprising: (a) a housing having a first opening for inserting an animal into and removing the animal from said housing and a second opening spaced apart from said first opening; and (b) a door substantially covering the second opening and pivotally attached to the housing so that it may swing into the interior of the housing, said door having at least one fingerlet cutout. 